Extending the Region of Triaxial Superdeformation: Candidate TSD bands in 174 Hf

Abstract

Three, possibly four, regularly spaced rotational bands with large dynamic moments of inertia have been identified in 174Hf. Their properties are consistent with known triaxial superdeformed bands of the Lu/Hf region. Calculations predict substantial triaxial deformation (γ ≈ γ17°) for 174Hf structures with deformation ε2 0.45, despite the fact that 174Hf is eight neutrons away from the previously established N = 94 triaxial superdeformed gap. Shell gaps at N = 100 and 106 with γ ≥15° are predicted for ε2 ≈ 0.45, and are most likely responsible for the calculated TSD minima in 174Hf. Show more